The newly released iPhone 17 is here, making your older iPhone feel somewhat outdated. It’s that time of year again when many debate whether it’s time to upgrade.
So, is the iPhone 17 worth the investment? Starting at $829, it comes with a significant change: the base storage has been increased from a meager 128GB to a much more reasonable 256GB. This improvement could potentially make the upgrade an obvious choice for many users.
Several enticing updates in the iPhone 17 make it appealing, even against the more expensive iPhone 17 Pro models. Notably, Apple has included a 1-120Hz display across the lineup, allowing users to enjoy smoother scrolling and an always-on display without having to opt for the Pro models priced over $1,100. Additionally, a new anti-reflective coating and increased brightness of up to 3,000 nits enhance visibility outdoors, along with camera enhancements for better photo quality.
Comparison: iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16
In terms of design, the iPhone 17 shares a lot with the iPhone 16, but there are crucial internal updates. The display now features a 120Hz refresh rate, up from the iPhone 16’s 60Hz, finally enabling an always-on display for notifications and time. An upgraded anti-reflective coating reduces glare in bright conditions.
The iPhone 17 boasts a larger 6.3-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch on the iPhone 16, thanks to slimmer bezels, enhancing the viewing experience. Furthermore, a new Ceramic Shield 2 cover claims to improve scratch resistance significantly. The camera system sees improvements too, upgrading the ultrawide camera from 12 to 48 megapixels and enhancing the front camera from 12 to 18 megapixels. New features include a Camera Control button for quicker access to taking photos.
Battery Life and Final Thoughts
The iPhone 17 offers slightly better battery performance, with Apple claiming up to 8 more hours of video playback when compared to the iPhone 16. In tests, it showed a drop from 100% to 89% in three hours, slightly outperforming its predecessor. Charging speed also sees an upgrade with support for up to 40 watts compared to the iPhone 16’s 25 watts.
The conclusion: The updates to the iPhone 17 make it a noteworthy device; however, the changes compared to the iPhone 16 are relatively minor. If you’re really excited about the higher refresh rate and improved charging speed, it may be worth considering an upgrade. For many users, though, these incremental enhancements suggest holding onto the iPhone 16 for now might be the wiser choice.
